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Notify technique with proof: Use independent data on market self-confidence, development, and client demand to guide your tactical direction. Confirm investment plans: Ensure resource allocation and initiatives are backed by trustworthy market insight. Accelerate positive choices: Equip members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach arrangement rapidly and take definitive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA between the GCC and the UK is a Major Strategic Chance to Elevate Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Statement on Economic Cooperation Between the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," Might 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) Progress Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA programme strengthens global financial ties with 26 strategic contracts," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign open market pact 'extremely soon'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA plans to a minimum of double annual United States investments over next years," Might 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE financial investments in Africa position nation as world's fourth-largest investor," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Fact Sheet: President Donald J.
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Overall possessions held broadly consistent over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued rearranging and as a response to geopolitical news rather than a meaningful new capital deployment. Worldwide macro conditions set a tough backdrop.
The GCC ETF universe consisted of 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Performance across the marketplace was broadly negative, with just 13 ETFs providing favorable returns compared to 26 in decline. In general, the information reflects a market that is active however narrow, with capital and liquidity concentrated in a small subset of items.
Performance in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of idiosyncratic winners, instead of broad market strength. The leading ETFs were focused in specific nation direct exposures and commodities, particularly Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were resilient during the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil exposure supported its local market, with Aramco reaching brand-new highs amid greater oil prices, along with its continued capability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which stays open.
Egypt provided strong efficiency in January and February. Despite a market pullback in March due to the war, both Egypt's market and its ETFs still posted positive returns for the quarter. The ongoing Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock have improved the outlook for emerging market equities in between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector also dealt with broader macro headwinds, consisting of a more mindful policy background in China and worldwide risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical tensions and higher energy prices. Thematic ETFs Had a hard time for the a lot of part, especially those linked to carbon and high-growth innovation, as evaluation pressures and worldwide rate dynamics weighed on efficiency.
The petrochemical ETF considerably exceeded. Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely focused, showing selective allowance rather than broad market involvement. Despite weak performance, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a small number of products drawing in brand-new capital. This indicates that investors were targeting particular direct exposures, while decreasing or turning out of others.
Trading activity remained steady, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. Most activity appears to have actually taken place in the secondary market, making it possible for investors to change positions without significant main productions or redemptions. While recent geopolitical occasions have resulted in more financial pressure on GCC countries, the region remains durable and well capitalized to deal with the scenario.
In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, adding a specific niche thematic exposure concentrated on worldwide luxury and consumer brands. Momentum continued into April with the approval of KraneShares AGIX and KWIN ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX. These funds are expected to launch in April pending a final approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some development associating with ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more international and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the dispute has impacted sentiment and rates throughout the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in regional properties.
In spite of ongoing geopolitical stress and security threats across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to demonstrate durability, preserving favorable growth momentum in current years. While conflicts in the broader region and worldwide economic uncertainty remain a structural restriction, GCC countries have actually so far restricted their impact on domestic economic efficiency through strong fiscal positions, policy connection, and sustained investment.
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